Brigands Tour to Oporto
- Dave Henderson
- Sep 6, 2025
- 4 min read
“The ball is bowled, the glass is poured,
Let bat and bottle both be scored;
For port, like cricket, keeps its cheer,
Through every match and every year.”
Anonymous Nineteenth Century Verse
Thirteen fine cricketers and nine enthusiastic supporters made their way from the South Downs of England to the city of Oporto for two Test Matches, hosted by the warm and hospitable Oporto Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club.
The First Test
Short on pace bowling options but with form in the nets, Dave Turner took the new ball alongside Danny Dawson. The decision bore fruit early: Oporto’s opener Gunawardena drove crisply to extra cover where Dave Henderson pouched the catch, before Dawson shattered Anantharaman’s middle stump.
At 15 for two the Brigands were buoyant. Then Chambers and Gill swung the game back. Chambers blazed a 50 from 35 balls, Gill followed with 50 from 41, and for the next hour the home side rattled along merrily. Brigands’ attack looked threadbare.
There were individual bright spots: Rupert Preece was sublime behind the stumps, and Steve Blackburn bowled with commendable control. Lunch included a gorgeous chickpea curry, washed down with Douro Valley wine and accompanied by speeches and port toasts.
After lunch, Oporto were firmly in command. Dougie Henderson contrived to concede 11 runs from his first ball, Neil Wood sprayed full tosses that disrupted those lunching on the verandah, and Dawson was launched into the tennis courts three times by Bashir. They declared at 257, leaving Brigands to mount a stuttering response.
At 40 for four in the 18th over, the innings was listing badly. Dave Turner and Dave Henderson rallied with a 33-run stand, only for Turner to miss a full toss and linguist Tom Ellis shouldered arms to a straight one. At 95 for seven, salvation came in the form of Dougie Henderson and Neil Wood, who counter-attacked with flair. Their 87 in just 14 overs included four clean Henderson sixes and nimble strike-rotation from Wood.
Still, the draw had to be secured. Beardall and Dawson showed granite determination, blocking 59 balls between them to close out the match, before beers and port tonics were taken on the terrace with pride intact.
The Second Test
The second encounter bore similarities to the first: Oporto’s top order flourished, Brigands dropped chances, and Jim Morris, Steve Blackburn and Dave Turner wished for twelfth-man duties as hangovers lingered.
Yet there was discipline. Dawson’s first five overs cost just 23 runs, Beardall’s only 12. Wood picked up his maiden wicket of the tour, while Gerry Northwood added a sharp run-out. Beardall’s final analysis of 3 for 99 from 17 overs included crowd-pleasing catches from Paul Whittle, Morris and Northwood.
Lunch again played its part, and this time there was a fragrant fish curry accompanied by a crisp white wine. Oporto declared later than expected, leaving Brigands a stern target of 275 in around 50 overs.
At 34 for two after 14 overs, the chase seemed remote. But Turner cut loose. In partnership with Preece the pair added 90 in 19 overs, striking three sixes, including one into a neighbouring German school (who stubbornly declined to return the ball). Dougie Henderson chipped in with a lively 27, Morris contributed 29, including a six over mid-wicket, and Wood struck a run-a-ball 27.
Brigands’ momentum carried them close, but they finished on 247 for 8, just 27 short of victory. Still, they left unbeaten across the weekend.
Port, the Bishop of Norwich, and the Fines
No Oporto tour is complete without port, and the inquiry “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” was heard on several occasions to keep the port flowing. There was late-night table tennis, billiards, and Super Bok too.
After play on the Sunday came the fines committee, which sat in judgment on misfields, dropped catches, and other misdemeanours. Mike Beardall was named best bowler, Dougie Henderson best batter, and the best player on tour tie was given to Rupert Preece.
Captain's Reflections
Brigands were looked after superbly; from the tour of Taylor's port house through to the hospitality of the Oporto Lawn and Tennis club (a hat tip to Prem, Anthony, Neil, Mark, and Andrew amongst others). Huge gratitude for a delightful group of players willing to rotate in the field and stand as umpires, for three scorers who kept meticulous records, and for a band of supporters whose energy, rousing cheers, and encouragement never wavered. Stoically, the Tour Manager umpired at both ends for 96 overs during the First Test.
Brigands enjoyed Oporto’s late-summer warmth but they had been tested by an alien environment: a bouncy plastic pitch, a slow outfield that rewarded aerial hitting, and a home side who knew their conditions. They left Portugal unbeaten, well fed, well watered, and well aware that cricket, like port, is best when savoured slowly, shared widely, and remembered fondly.
Brilliantly organised and managed tour. Thanks a million, PW!
Well skippered, Dave, and very well written up too! ‘BZ’ Hendo … from the “Doc” and his lady 😎